Significance of simultaneous determination of serum human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and hCG-β in testicular tumor patients.

AbstractBackground: Simultaneous determinations of human chorionic gonadotropin hormone (hCG) and hCG-β frequently produce discrepancies, that is when hCG or hCG-β is normal, the other is elevated. Accordingly, we examined the significance of simultaneous determination of serum hCG and hCG-β in testicular tumors. Methods: Simultaneous determination of hCG and hCG-β was performed in 54 patients with testicular seminoma and 74 with non-seminomatous testicular tumors. Results: For detection of seminoma patients, hCG-β was more effective than hCG because hCG-β was positive in 83% (45/54) of the patients and hCG was positive in 50% (27/54). In non-seminomatous testicular tumor cases, hCG-β was positive in 74% (55/74) and hCG was positive in 82% (61/74). The cases of hCG <1.0 mIU/mL and HCG-β > 0.1 ng/mL were significantly more frequently seen in patients with seminoma than in those with non-seminomatous testicular tumor (P < 0.001). Fourteen patients had recurrent tumor. At recurrence, only hCG was elevated in nine cases, only hCG-β was elevated in two cases and both in one case. For diagnosis of falsely positive hCG, testosterone administration was effective because after testosterone administration, serum hCG levels became undetectable (< 1.0 mIU/mL) within one week in three examined cases. Conclusion: Human chorionic gonadotropin-β was a better marker of seminoma than hCG. For earlier detection of recurrence, both markers should be examined. For diagnosis of falsely positive hCG, testosterone administration was effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]